Boy 'lucky to be alive' after fall into volcano steam vent

A 15-year-old boy survived a fall into a steam vent between the visitor center and Volcano House Wednesday night. The boy fell into the vent after he apparently jumped over a railing. (Courtesy National Park Service)

A 15-year-old boy from San Rafael, Calif. is “lucky to be alive,” after falling 20 to 25 feet into a steam vent at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Wednesday night, the National Park Service said in a news release today.

The boy apparently leaped over a protective railing at the steam vent near the Volcano House and visitors center, the park service said.

A park service search and rescue teams and Hawaii County firefighters based in the park responded to a 911 call from the victim’s mother at about 6:43 p.m.

Search and rescue coordinator John Broward, assisted by firefighters, rappelled into the deep, narrow, chimney-like crack in the earth and rescued the boy.

The boy suffered a bump on the head and minor abrasions and refused further medical treatment.

The National Park Service said the steam rising from the vent is formed when rain water encounters hot rocks. The steam temperature in the vent can reach 160 degrees, cooling to 120 degrees at the surface.

“This young visitor and his family are extraordinarily lucky that he survived this mishap,” Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando said. “This incident serves as a reminder that park visitors are urged to stay on trails and not engage in reckless behavior while visiting their national parks.”

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. Because only subscribers are allowed to comment, we have your personal information and are able to contact you. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email commentfeedback@staradvertiser.com.

Leave a comment

Name:

Comment:

Please login to leave a comment.

localguywrote:

Guardrails? Yes you babooze, they are to keep you from injuring or killing yourself. What was he thinking?

on April 11,2013 | 03:05PM

Name:

Comment:

lowtone123wrote:

He wasn't. He left his common sense at home. A common malady with some visitors. Those types should stay home where they belong. The rest are welcome.

on April 11,2013 | 03:42PM

Name:

Comment:

alliewrote:

agree..reckless

on April 11,2013 | 06:04PM

Name:

Comment:

sailfish1wrote:

Yeah! We have plenty of locals here that don't have common sense. We don't need more of that kind.

on April 11,2013 | 07:11PM

Name:

Comment:

mikethenovicewrote:

No Aloha neither nowadays. So Sad.

on April 11,2013 | 09:17PM

Name:

Comment:

mikethenovicewrote:

The lava would melt the steel guardrails.

on April 11,2013 | 09:16PM

Name:

Comment:

veelcwrote:

Let's see, single mom, outta control teen looks like some serious lickins' if was my house. Let him go on and the road becomes rougher than anything a volcano can throw at you.
'cept magma...

on April 11,2013 | 04:02PM

Name:

Comment:

eoewrote:

Next up: lawsuit.

on April 11,2013 | 04:31PM

Name:

Comment:

BigBird001wrote:

Let's hope he doesn't ever procreate. Darwin award, anyone?

on April 11,2013 | 04:36PM

Name:

Comment:

MolokaiChuckwrote:

Where were the parents?????????????????????????????

on April 11,2013 | 04:50PM

Name:

Comment:

mikethenovicewrote:

Life Insurance?

on April 11,2013 | 09:17PM

Name:

Comment:

kailua000wrote:

they will still find some local lawyer who is willing to sue the state because this babooze was to stupid to stay behind the guardrail. and our stupid state will settle . you watch.

on April 11,2013 | 05:04PM

Name:

Comment:

jm2375wrote:

The park is federal property.

on April 11,2013 | 05:57PM

Name:

Comment:

mikethenovicewrote:

Yep. Stupid people have rights?

on April 11,2013 | 09:18PM

Name:

Comment:

Slowwrote:

All the commenters are so right. Why couldn't this 16 year old behave maturely like we all did at that age?

on April 11,2013 | 05:26PM

Name:

Comment:

copperwire9wrote:

15.

on April 11,2013 | 05:34PM

Name:

Comment:

64hoowrote:

he was an overweight kid and wanted to lose wait. what a good idea jumping in the steam vent. instant steam bath to lose weight.

on April 11,2013 | 05:35PM

Name:

Comment:

50skanewrote:

Now they'll sue Hawaii for not putting a guardrail 20 feet high or topped with barbed wire or not having DANGER signs posted every three feet. Being a stupid idiot doesn't matter anymore according to civil attorneys drooling at this story.

on April 11,2013 | 05:57PM

Name:

Comment:

pseudowrote:

Time to make "risk - takers " who ignore signage and warnings PAY for rescue. About how much would cost? Accident is one thing; showing off / taking stupid risk is totally different.

on April 11,2013 | 06:21PM

Name:

Comment:

olos73wrote:

He wanted to meet Pele.

on April 11,2013 | 06:58PM

Name:

Comment:

mikethenovicewrote:

Wear clean cloth next time.

on April 11,2013 | 09:19PM

Name:

Comment:

Bothropswrote:

John Broward has stones.

on April 11,2013 | 07:02PM

Name:

Comment:

scooterswrote:

I can see the law suit coming now= Mom's say's Hey, there's no sign saying 'Don't Jump Over the Guard Rail,Stupid" or you might get hurt.